What USCIS requires from a certified translation
USCIS requires that any foreign-language document submitted with a petition be accompanied by a certified English translation. Under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), the translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language to English.
Specifically, the certification must include: a statement that the translator is competent in both languages; a statement that the translation is complete and accurate; the translator's signature; and the translator's contact information including name, address, and date. Our certified translations include all of these elements in the correct format.
We have a strong track record of USCIS acceptance. Immigration law firms send us their most complex petitions precisely because our translations pass without revision requests from officers. We understand what USCIS reviewers look for.
Documents we certify
We provide certified translations for the following and many other document types:
- Birth certificates from all countries
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Death certificates
- Passports and national ID documents
- Academic transcripts, diplomas, and degrees
- Criminal records and police clearance certificates
- Medical records and vaccination records
- Court orders, judgments, and legal proceedings
- Military service records and discharge documents
- Employment records and professional licenses
- Bank statements and financial records
- Business registration and corporate documents
- Asylum support documents and declarations
- Naturalization application support documents
Notarization coordination
Some applications, courts, and institutions require that the translator's certification be additionally notarized by a US notary public. This means a notary public witnesses and stamps the translator's signature, adding another layer of official authentication.
We offer notarization coordination as an add-on service. We connect you with a reliable notary who works with certified translation documents. Notarized translations are commonly required for some state court filings, adoption proceedings, academic credential evaluations, and certain foreign consulate submissions.
Note: Notarization is different from Apostille. An Apostille is an authentication for use in countries that are parties to the Hague Convention. If you need an Apostille on a US public document, that is obtained through the relevant Secretary of State office. We can advise on whether your situation requires notarization, apostille, or both.
Turnaround and pricing
Standard turnaround for certified translations is 2-3 business days from receipt of a legible source document. Rush 24-hour delivery is available for most document types at a surcharge.
Certified translations are priced per document, not per word, because the certification process involves a fixed professional component. Longer documents carry higher fees reflecting the additional translation work. We quote exact prices before you commit to any order.
We accept documents by email scan (JPEG or PDF at 300 DPI or higher). The scan must be clear and all text, stamps, and seals must be legible. If your document is damaged or poorly scanned, we will advise before beginning work.